Structure, Narrative Context, and Function of Healing Mantras in Biaro Baru Village, North Musi Rawas Regency, Indonesia
Abstract
This study examines the structure, narrative context, and function of healing mantras in Biaro Baru Village, Karang Dapo District, North Musi Rawas Regency, Indonesia. Using a qualitative descriptive method, data were collected through observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation from five informants (traditional healers/shamans) who actively use mantras in healing practices. Five healing mantras were recorded, transcribed, translated, and analyzed. The analysis focused on linguistic structure (using frameworks of oral literature analysis), narrative context (using Dell Hymes’ SPEAKING model), and social-cultural function. Results reveal that the healing mantras exhibit four structural elements: (1) rhyme (end-rhyme and initial-rhyme patterns); (2) rhythm (repetitive syllabic patterns creating a hypnotic quality); (3) repetition (of words, phrases, and sounds for emphasis and magical effect); and (4) distinctive diction (archaic words, code-switching between Musi Malay and Arabic). The narrative context is governed by strict norms regarding setting (typically at the patient’s home or specific ritual sites), timing (often at night or specific hours), participants (healer, patient, sometimes family members), and ritual preparations (offerings, water, specific objects). The mantras serve multiple complementary functions: magical-religious (invoking divine power for healing), therapeutic (providing psychological comfort to patients), social (reinforcing the healer’s role…
Read the paper
Related studies
- Meta-analysis and the science of research synthesis
- Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial
- Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
- Convalescent plasma in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised controlled, open-label, platform trial
- Disease Free Survival and Local Recurrence for Laparoscopic Resection Compared to Open Resection of Stage II-III Rectal Cancer: Follow up Results of the ACOSOG Z6051 Randomized Controlled Trial
- The effects of a course of intranasal oxytocin on social behaviors in youth diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders: a randomized controlled trial
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.